This document analyzes the design choices made for the front cover and contents page of a fictional sixth form magazine called "Ambition Magazine". For the front cover, a main photo was enhanced and a fancy font was used for the masthead. Six cover lines in different colors promoted school topics. The main headline was altered from its original text. Additional features included banners, color schemes, and issue details. For the contents page, photos reflected an educational theme and the school logo added authenticity. Color splashes and bold page numbers highlighted key sections.
3. FRONT COVER DETAILS
To start off, I used a plain white
background. Then I applied a
mid shot of one of my peers
(craftily enhanced using Photos)
and chose it as my primary
cover photo. Its lighting was
greatly brightened through
editing to give the best possible
shot to become my preferred
main image.
The fancy typography for
“Ambition Magazine” was
provided thanks to the font
“Princetown LET” which
greatly reminded myself of
what an average sixth form
magazine would use for a
standout masthead.
4. COVER LINES
I then added six interesting cover lines
all connected to current school topics.
They sported different shades of red
and blue, and I mostly used thin
contemporary and bold fonts for visual
appeal and attractiveness.
Much like my flatplan for the front
cover, the six cover lines closely match
what I wanted. However, at least three
were altered in order to fit in properly
with the educational theme. Potential
audiences will know about the
upcoming details in “Ambition
Magazine” as they will be involved in
reading the articles once they delve
deep inside the magazine.
5. MAIN HEADLINE
One of the most prominent
alterations seen on the final front
cover is the main headline. It was
intended to say “When there’s a
will, there’s a Faye” to boost
school morale and match the
intended cover image (originally
Faye Masterson, but said pupil
was camera shy).
However, the final headline was
changed to “Hairspray tickets:
SOLD OUT!” in response to the
preference of another cover
image. The name of the play was
photoshopped into the cover
page. This main headline is
intended to inform readers about
the situation they are in and how
popular the school production of
Hairspray is, since the tickets are
all “sold out”. It serves as
anchorage text.
6. OTHER FEATURES
The colour scheme is
subversive and bright as the
mid shot of Yasemin was
taken outside near the school
pond. It gives the front cover
an effective nature-like
ambience.
Additionally, I added a
transparent white banner with
the issue edition (Autumn
Edition – Oct-Nov 2015) to
give the front cover a
contemporary flair and an idea
of creativity. This informs
readers of the edition that they
are reading (in fancy
typography).
8. MAIN IMAGES
The selection of images chosen
for the contents page were all
shot from different Nikon
cameras.
Particularly, two images (of
Rita and Joe) were potential
candidates for the front cover.
Unfortunately, due to lighting
issues and editing they were
omitted from the final
product.
The images chosen were used
to reflect the educational vibe
of the sixth form. They allow a
sense of motivation for
readers who are interested in
exploring the aspects of the
magazine.
9. Other features of the
contents page
At the pug of the contents page is the
official school logo which makes the
sixth form magazine authentic to its
audience.
There are splashes of dark blue, sky
blue and lilac red to add creativity
and diversity to the contents page. It
looks professional that way.
The Hairspray logo is presented in an
unaltered way to attract the attention
of students willing to watch the live
performance of the play. The numbers
are bold and coloured orange to mark
the most prominent features and
special pages in the magazine.
Much of the photos taken focus upon
an educative background so as to
keep in context with the school theme
of Ambition.
